Hwange National Park communities are demanding compensation from the government after years of suffering attacks by wildlife, resulting in both livestock and human casualties.
This renewed plea comes two years after the government pledged to establish a Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund (HWCRF). However, residents remain empty-handed due to legislative gaps.
Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda recently raised questions in parliament on the relief fund for Hwange community and in response, Environment Minister Sthembiso Nyoni, said the current Parks Act lacks provisions for victim compensation. To address this, the government is expediting the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill, which would pave the way for the HWCRF’s creation.
“On compensation to people who lose life, recalling Cabinet’s decision of 4th November, 2022 to establish a Human-Wildlife Conflict Fund, (HWCRF) to provide monetary relief to verified and proven victims of Human-Wildlife conflict.
“The current Parks Act does not have any provision of compensation of victims or the afflicted, hence the need to expedite the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill, which provides for the establishment of the Human Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund,” Nyoni said.
While the fund’s establishment remains stalled, Nyoni assures that local authorities and stakeholders are currently providing some form of assistance to affected communities.
The Minister emphasized that the fund, once implemented, will prioritize supporting families who have lost loved ones to wildlife encounters. It will also offer relief to those injured or maimed during attacks.
Plans are underway for consultations with the communities to determine how the fund will be structured and managed, along with establishing protocols for evaluations and assessments.
